SPRING : 2017
FOCUS A Commitment to Your Health Letter from Randi Lowenthal | Valley View Foundation President
W
hile spring brings
From there we turn our attention
with it a sense
to forming the lifelong, healthy
of renewal and
habits needed to prevent heart
awakening, at Valley View we
disease in the first place, as well
witness community members
as other prevention of health
reconnecting with their health
risk factors like diabetes, obesity
year-round.
and high blood pressure. With community support, Health4Life connects participants with
February marked the 10th anniversary of the Heart & Vascular Center. We
clinical experts, to help ensure long-term
take a look at how far the Center has come in
change.
terms of care and technological advancements during the past decade, and how many
Donors like you help make these exciting
regional residents have benefitted from having
programs possible. As you enjoy the
such expert cardiovascular care right here in
reemergence of the green landscape in the
our backyard.
valley this spring, we hope you’ll join us in our quest to spread health to those who need it the most.
FOCUS NEWSLE T TER SPRING 2017
1
Celebrating 10 Years of Heart and Vascular Care It’s hard to believe three succinct
The center has since evolved to
words could be the impetus for a
include even more comprehensive
complex and critical department
cardiovascular care. Milestones
at Valley View, but Dr. Frank Laws,
from the last 10 years include
electrophysiologist and interven-
accreditation for the echocardiog-
tional cardiologist, puts it this way:
raphy program, becoming the first
“Time is muscle.”
hospital in the Rocky Mountain region to offer robotic-assisted
During a cardiovascular event,
coronary angioplasties, and add-
such as a heart attack, every
ing an electrophysiology program
passing moment before a patient
for a large population that previ-
receives medical help represents
ously traveled to Denver to treat
damage that can occur to the
abnormal heart rhythms.
heart muscle itself. When the Heart & Vascular Center opened 10 years ago, its prior-
Not least of all is last fall’s opening of a state-of-the-art
ity was narrowing that window of time substantially
hybrid catheterization lab — the first of its kind in the
for local residents that previously had to travel farther
state and a facility that is beginning to draw patients
afield for care. Keith Lambert, then-mayor of Rifle, was
from around the world, including a recent cryoabla-
the first intervention patient seen at the brand new
tion on an patient who is an internationally ranked
center, during a February snowstorm that made travel-
triathlete. This is the trajectory Dr. Laws wants for the
ing to Grand Junction or Denver iffy at best.
center’s next decade: offering treatment not available elsewhere.
“The foresight of the leadership at Valley View to put in a catheterization lab that meets the needs of the region
“If it wasn’t for community support, we wouldn’t be
was huge — what an amazing addition to healthcare
able to do what we’ve done,” Dr. Laws says. “Having
in the valley,” Lambert says. In the past decade he has
direction from the hospital administration combined
changed his lifestyle to include frequent trips to the
with robust community support has allowed us to
gym, and credits Valley View for the “kick in the rear
develop the program we have.”
end” he needed to improve his health.
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VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION
Health4Life can lead to real change After several failed New Years resolutions to lose
At her next check up, Sheila got a thumbs up from her
weight, unused gym memberships and fad diets that
primary care physician. She is on a path to lifelong
she couldn’t stick with, Sheila got a recommendation
health and wellness, one day at a time, and now truly
from her doctor that seemed different: referral to the
feels like she has taken charge of her “Health4Life.”
Health4Life program at Valley View. The Valley View Foundation is committed to launching The suggestion was due to much more than vanity.
Health4Life and underwriting its costs so that
Sheila’s primary care physician warned that without
Sheila and others can benefit from this remarkable
a lifestyle change, her unhealthy eating and lack of
opportunity. Visit VVH.org/Foundation to learn more.
regular exercise were putting her at risk for diabetes and possibly even heart disease. Health4Life wouldn’t be a temporary fix — it would involve several proven strategies for long-term behavioral change. So, feeling like she didn’t have anything to lose but some extra pounds and any major health concerns on the horizon, Sheila joined Health4Life. Over the next weeks and months, Sheila learned about healthy lifestyle changes that would help her form lifelong habits, meeting regularly with clinical health experts. She benefited from hands-on learning during exercise sessions in a carefully monitored environment. As for nutrition, Sheila received one-onone and group nutrition coaching that helped her to make the small yet consequential everyday decisions that lead to lifelong change. Finally, she found camaraderie with the other Heath4Life participants she saw regularly, who all encouraged and supported each other.
education
exercise
nutrition
support
FOCUS NEWSLE T TER SPRING 2017
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Our cancer specialists go the distance for you.
So you can stay put. If you’re fighting cancer, you don’t have to leave the beautiful valley you call home to get treatment. Because the Calaway•Young Cancer Center at Valley View is a world-class cancer center that offers therapies you’d expect to find in larger cities. Our renowned team of oncology specialists is right here with the advanced treatments, personalized attention, and integrated network to care for you. PeopleCare. That’s Valley View.
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VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION
Learn more at vvh.org/CancerCare
WE RALLY
Because it’s a commitment from our hearts.
LL EY VIE W
VA
Because you Rally. We thank you. We Rally to provide patients of the Calaway•Young Cancer Center an opportunity to receive complimentary services and resources including acupuncture, massage, support groups, emergency assistance and more. In 2016, generous gifts supported: l
8,688 hands-on therapies I 5,678 acupuncture sessions 735 gas and grocery cards given to patients in need 442 tai-chi participants I 166 art therapies sessions hosted 44 skin treatments provided I 424 yoga participants 20 Coffee Walk & Talk groups I 13 retreat participants 97 Labyrinth sessions facilitated 125 nights of lodging provided plus Rona's House, for patients in need, supported
FOCUS NEWSLE T TER SPRING 2017
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Your giving. Your impact. Community generosity inspires conversations about health A crowd of over 450 people packed The Orchard in Carbondale to hear national bestselling author Michael Greger, MD. The event was the culmination of a months-long community-wide reading of Dr. Greger’s book How Not to Die that was sponsored by the Valley View Foundation. The purpose of the project was to inspire conversation about health and well-being. Funding from the Foundation enabled the purchase and circulation of How Not to Die English, Spanish and audio books across the community through local libraries. It also supported Dr. Greger in coming to our community for the presentation in February.
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VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION
Foundation members enjoying the event featuring Dr. Greger
FOCUS NEWSLE T TER SPRING 2017
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1906 Blake Avenue | Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601
SAVE THE DATE! 09.23.17
VVF OFFICERS Randi Lowenthal, President Patti Miely, Vice President Michelle Lefebvre, Secretary Jon Warnick, Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jay McGlade Dr. Frank McGuirk Andrea Palm-Porter Gino Rossetti Marianne Virgili
V
LE AL
Y VIE W
Donn Willins
EX-OFFICIO Gary Brewer, Ex-Officio Abbie Cheney, Ex-Officio Brian Leasure, Ex-Officio Maggie Pedersen, Ex-Officio
TH
8
EV AL L E Y
FOUNDATION STAFF Stacey Gavrell, Executive Director Alexandra Yajko, Major Gifts Officer John Quinn, Development Officer
VALLEY VIEW FOUNDATION
SAYRE PARK
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO
Kim Wells, Foundation Specialist Sharon Turner, Administrative Assistant